September 2012 Gem Lake Newsletter

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Gem Lake News Page 4 of 6 Huge Local Power Line Project to Begin 2014 A large project to rebuild transmission lines in our area will begin on or before the second quarter of 2014, according to a fact sheet issued recently by Xcel Energy. The project will encompass an area within an existing railroad right of way, beginning south of Interstate 694 in Maplewood and running three miles north to the Goose Lake substation, which is located approximately at the intersection of White Bear Parkway and Otter Lake Road in White Bear Township. According to Xcel, the project is needed to ensure reliable power delivery to the area. Approximately three miles of existing 115 kV of single circuit transmission line will be removed and replaced with a new 115/115 kV double circuit line in much the same alignment. The majority of new double circuit structures will be steel poles with a vertical davit arm configuration, an average height of approximately 90 feet and an average span of 300 to 500 feet. Existing structure are an average height of 75 feet and are often made of wood. Some new right-of-way acquisition is anticipated along Otter Lake Road at the north end of the project and adjacent to the Bruce Vento trail at the south end of the project. For more information, contact Sage Tauber at Xcel Energy, 612-330-2909. City News Page MS-4 Report Ready to Be Reviewed By Public A state mandated report on storm water management, called the MS-4 Report has been completed by council member Jim Lindner and submitted to the State of Minnesota. Jim spent countless volunteer hours trudging all over Gem Lake to document and photograph inflows and outflows in our city, as required by the report. The document is now on display at Heritage Hall for anyone who wants to read it. As mandated by law, it will be on display for 30 days to allow for the expected throngs. Just in case you don't get a chance to stop by, we are holding a public hearing on it, also required by state law. The public hearing will be held September 18, during the September City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Hall. Our thanks to Jim Lindner for taking on the task of completing this very detailed report. Money Available for Landscaping Projects The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) has a cost share program to assist property owners with landscaping projects that help with water quality. Types of projects that are eligible include raingardens, shoreline restoration, permeable paver patios or driveways, and other projects that reduce water runoff and erosion. VLAWMO can give up to $1000 to a project to cover 50% of the costs of materials and contracted labor. Applications must be approved by VLAWMO before work can begin. Additionally, this year VLAWMO has a separate Rainbarrel Cost Share program to entice more people to purchase them. VLAWMO will help pay for two rainbarrels per property. VLAWMO will pay 50% of the cost of each rainbarrel (up to $125 maximum per barrel.) The approval process is easy and quick for this program. To qualify for these cost share program s, you must live within the VLAWMO boundary. A boundary map is located on the website at www.vlawmo.org. If you are interested in either of these programs, more information can be found either at the website, or by calling Kristine Jenson at 651-204- 6070.